Released in the same year as Top Gun: Maverick, it’s inevitable that director JD Dillard’s aviation war film, Devotion, would be compared to Tom Cruise’s blockbuster sequel.
Taking the comparison one step further is the fact that Glen Powell, one of the protagonists of Maverick — who recently recalled the time his family friend went on a date with a cannibal — is also one of the leads in Devotion.
While the film was a box-office disappointment — grossing only $21.8 million globally against a production budget of $90 million — it seems Devotion managed to leave its mark on moviegoers and create its own niche as far as war films go, receiving a smashing 92 per cent audience approval rating and an 81 per cent critics approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
While one critic said the film was: “Jam-packed with powerful performances and stunning imagery, Devotion is one of the most emotionally resonant action movies in years.”
Another praised Majors and Powell: “Jonathan Majors & Glen Powell are the real deal. Fantastic cinematography & riveting performances Devotion sticks out and makes itself different enough than Top Gun!”
A third critic lauded the film’s director and said: “With Devotion, director JD Dillard delivers a handsome and emotionally satisfying war picture that manages to address racial injustice while also celebrating the American soldier.”
Starring Jonathan Majors as Ensign Jesse L Brown and Glen Powell as Lieutenant Junior Grade Tom Hudner, Devotion is a film based on the true story of Brown and Hudner’s comradeship during the Korean War that took place in the early 1950s.
Based on Adam Makos’s 2015 book Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice, the film was adapted for the big screen by writers Jake Crane and Jonathan Stewart.
In a 2022 interview with Variety, Powell spoke about his co-star and friend Jonathon Majors: “Obviously, Jonathan Majors is going to be on the Mount Rushmore of great actors of our generation. I had just seen “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” and I was like, “This is the guy. We have to get him.” He read and liked the script, and I flew to New York to meet him.”
Powell added: “I remember getting a nervous call from the producers saying, “Hey, Jonathan wants to meet you at a Russian bathhouse. Is that okay?” I was like, “Sure. I will sell him on this movie in a Russian bath.” It’s funny to meet someone where you’re basically naked and pitching them. But we were there for hours and we came out great friends.”
Glowing audience reviews for the film include one where a fan wrote: “One of the most heartwarming movies in my 66.5 years of life. Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell make the best of friends in this movie. It is a must see. Have the tissue handy!”
While another viewer commented: “J.D. Dillard’s “Devotion” leaves one feeling exhilarated, not just at the viewing of an exceptional war film, but with solid character development and outstanding visuals.”
A third audience review said: “I wish I could experience watching this movie for the first time all over again. That’s how amazing this is. The title DEVOTION hits on so many levels.”
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video